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| The CASA Chronicles (No. 6) By Glenn Hopper |
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KEEPING UP WITH THE CALIFORNIA ASPHALT SPRINTCAR ASSOCIATION |
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February 5, 2004 Tracy, CA. The California Asphalt Sprintcar Association held their 2004 pre-season general membership meeting Saturday, January 31 at the Tracy Holiday Inn to review last year’s inaugural season and preview the upcoming CASA racing program. President and CEO Scott Clough formally introduced the Executive Board and the Board of Directors to the large CASA contingent assembled. Clough brought the new members up to speed regarding CASA’s recent history and unveiled the latest information regarding the second-year racing club. Clough gave a brief overview of how and why CASA is being incorporated in accordance with its business plan and as a means to insure the long-term success of the business. “CASA’s philosophy has not changed,” said Clough. Under the articles of incorporation, the club will still be run for the benefit of all members and in partnership with all CASA sanctioned racetracks. All club expenses and books are open to members, and all club proceeds are to be absorbed back into the club via point funds and/or supplementing race purses. Both the Executive and Directors Boards are deferring any salary or income in an effort to insure the financial viability of CASA during its early efforts. Publicity and Media Relations Director Glenn Hopper reviewed plans to work with sanctioned tracks to jointly promote CASA races at those venues. Members were asked to assist in ways from displaying their cars at promotional events to distributing promotional materials throughout the racetrack’s region. Hopper also gave an overview of the sponsorship program involving the fantasy racing game VirtualThunder.com. Clough then covered several issues from series sponsorship status, CASA’s partnership with Altamont, and the addition of two travel dates, one each at Shasta Speedway and Carson City’s Champion Motor Speedway. It was agreed that with the latest revision to the schedule, CASA races stand as scheduled with the three CASA sanctioned tracks. Clough then presented the guaranteed purse structure members had requested. He stressed that it was contingent on a 20-car count at each race and that the members needed to be aware of that contingency. “Members all told me if we could pay a thousand to win and make it guaranteed, we would get the car counts we need. Well, I got the thousand to win, we raised starting pay fifty percent, and it’s guaranteed. Now I need you guys to step up and support the deal with a minimum of 20 cars and we also get a guaranteed $250 per car added to the purse for each car over twenty. If not, we revert back to the same deal as last year.” All attendees were given a packet of information that included a pay list from 2003, the guaranteed pay schedule for 2004, and a current 2004 schedule. Clough then held an open forum to discuss any issues members presented including Hoosier versus American Racer tires, use of radios, and potential procedural changes in the Altamont program which will involve car push-off procedure and a possible move to transponder-based qualifying and scoring. Clough also noted major improvements planned for Altamont such as enclosing the main grandstands and assigned and improved pit stalls. Members freely discussed and confirmed that CASA should stay the course and do it’s own thing in the best interest of California-based pavement racers. All input was received and final decisions will be made at the next board meeting. Clough then accepted nominations for the member elected Director-at-Large position to represent the general membership at all board meetings. In the end, new CASA car owner Ric Carr was chosen by membership to serve in this capacity for the 2004 season. Most in attendance filled out 2004 membership applications and reserved their CASA car numbers. The final preseason CASA board meeting will be held before the Altamont home opening race on the 20th of March and members will be given final rules as soon as printed versions are available. All are encouraged to visit www.casaracing.com for the latest California Asphalt Sprintcar Association information. |
